can i travel with h1b visa

Can a H1B visa holder travel outside the US?

Travel Outside The US When Beneficiary Does Not Have A Valid H1B Visa. If an H1B extension of stay petition has been filed and the employee does not have a valid H1B visa, he/she will be able to get an H1B visa stamp if travel abroad is undertaken and the underlying H1B petition is still valid.

Where can I travel with H1B visa for Indians?

H1B VISA FREE TRAVEL for Indians. Mexico (Visa not required for any valid USA visa holders to enter Mexico with tourist, transit & business purposes. Belize (No visa required for holders of multiple entry USA Visa or Green Card.

What are the benefits of having an H1B visa?

There are many benefits to having an H1B visa. Here are just a few: You can legally work in the United States. The H1B allows foreign nationals to perform specialty occupations in the United States. This allows highly qualified individuals to work and live in the US.

How to qualify for an H1B visa without a degree?

If you do not have the academic requirements standard for the job, you can still qualify for an H1B. This can be done through a combination of education, training, and work experience. Here, a petitioner would need to demonstrate the previous experience is equivalent to the standard degree.

Can you travel while on H-1B visa?

You can travel abroad during your H-1B status. Your trip may be personal (to visit relatives, for example) or professional (to attend a conference or work with colleagues overseas). These recommendations will help ensure that you have a smooth trip.

Which countries can H-1B visa holders travel to?

In this article, we have carefully picked the 10 best countries to travel visa-free with a valid US F1, J1, or H1B visa from the list of the 23 countries....10 best countries for visa-free travel with a US visaBelize. ... Georgia. ... Qatar. ... Turkey. ... The Dominican Republic. ... Island of Turks and Caicos. ... Bermuda. ... Panama.More items...•

How long can I stay out of US on H-1B?

Introduction to Extensions of Stay for H1B Visa Workers beyond 6-Year Limit. Workers in the United States on nonimmigrant H1B status are limited to a maximum stay of six years in the United States on H1B status.

Can I travel outside US after H-1B approval?

Once USCIS approves your change of status petition, you may travel internationally. Your H-1B status will take effect on the date that was requested. While travel, as outlined above, is permissible, you may encounter difficulties when re-entering the U.S. or when applying for a visa for your current status.

Can I visit Canada with US H-1B visa?

You are required to have a valid H-1B visa in your passport to return to the U.S. from all countries except for brief trips (less than 30 days) to Canada & Mexico (see below).

Can H-1B work two jobs?

The law does allow for concurrent employment, meaning you can work 2 H1B jobs simultaneously. However, a separate H1B application must be filed before work for the second employer may begin. All of the same rules apply to the second H1B job that apply to the first.

How many years is H-1B visa valid?

The H-1B is a Specialty Occupation work authorization visa with a cumulative maximum duration of 6 years. The initial period of stay for those in H-1B status is three (3) years, with extensions available for up to three (3) years thereafter.

Can I stay in India for 3 months on H-1B?

Working from India on US payroll is not allowed unless you have some US work visas like H1B or L1 and for a short duration of 1 to 5 months. Many people who exhaust their H1B 6-year quota leave the USA. They wait outside the USA for their H1B extension result and work remotely as an IT worker from their country.

What do I do if I am traveling to Canada or Mexico and I have an expired visa stamp?

If your trip will last 30 or fewer days, you may be able to re-enter the United States using the expired visa stamp. This procedure is called Automatic Visa Revalidation. Contact us for more information.

How long does it take to get a visa stamp?

If you have to get a new visa stamp while you are abroad, the process can take six weeks or more because of security clearances. When you make travel arrangements, you and your department should plan for the possibility of these wait times.

Do I need to turn in my I-94 card?

Your I-94 card, which you will turn in when you leave the country. If you have an electronic I-94 instead of a physical I-94 card, you do not need to turn anything in.

How to activate H1B?

In order to activate the H1B, the beneficiary must leave the US and obtain an H1B visa stamp and re-enter or the employer must file a new Change of Status/Amendment petition. 2. Travelling Outside The US When H1B Change Of Status Petition Is Approved With A Future Start Date.

Is it safe to travel after H1B?

NOTE: It’s always safe to travel after H1B approval.

Can a beneficiary return to the US in their previous status?

The beneficiary may only return to the US in their previous nonimmigrant status (if still valid or applicable) or the beneficiary must wait until the H1B petition is approved so that he/she can obtain an H1B visa stamp with which to re-enter the US.

Can I use an I-94 for an H1B extension?

If the H1B extension of stay petition is approved while she is abroad, her employer should send her the approval notice. She can then use the new approval notice and existing visa stamp to re-enter the U.S. CBP should give her an I-94 that matches the expiration date of the new approval notice.

Can Elizabeth travel to the US?

Yes, Elizabeth will be able to travel on H1B visa and re-enter the US with the previously issued H1B visa stamp and H1B approval notice. Once she re-enters and after the H1B petition is approved, her status will be extended. If the H1B extension of stay petition is approved while she is abroad, her employer should send her the approval notice. She can then use the new approval notice and existing visa stamp to re-enter the U.S. CBP should give her an I-94 that matches the expiration date of the new approval notice.

Can an H1B extension be denied?

If the H1B Extension of Stay is denied while the employee is outside the US, he/she should still be able to re-enter the US based on the still valid, previously issued approval notice and visa.

Can an H1B employee enter the US without an H1B visa?

b. If the H1B employee enters the US without the new H1B petition approval notice , CBP will admit the employee based on the previously issued H1B approval notice and H1B visa, which will have a shorter expiration date than the newly approved petition. The employee must leave and re-enter with the new approval notice (and possibly need to obtain a new H1B visa stamp if the previously issued visa is no longer valid) or the employer must file a new extension of stay petition to extend the employee’s I-94.

What is an H1B visa?

The H1B is a special visa that allows foreign nationals to perform specialty occupations in the United States. This work can be in - but is not limited to - any of the following fields:

What is H1B in the US?

The H1B allows foreign nationals to perform specialty occupations in the United States. This allows highly qualified individuals to work and live in the US. This benefits both the beneficiaries and the US economy.

How long do you have to work to get an H1B visa?

Begin work in the United States. H-1B beneficiaries may arrive in the United States up to 10 days before the start date of their petition and stay up to 60 days (with some exceptions) after the termination of their H1B status. Upon arrival, you should present your passport, H1B visa, and Form I-797 approval.

What are the benefits of H1B?

One big advantage of H1B visa is the portability benefits. This means that if you are on an H1B and change employers, you can begin working for a different employer upon filing your new petition.

How long before I can apply for a visa can I apply for a visa?

Note that you cannot apply for a visa more than 90 days before the start date of the job . Upon scheduling a consular interview, the foreign national will meet with a US consular officer and show them their I-797 approval.

Is H1-B a multistep process?

The H1-B visa is a multistep process . The following is a general guideline followed by a more detailed explanation:

Who is the beneficiary of H1B?

A US company will file the petition on behalf of a foreign national who will receive the H1B. The US company is called the petitioner. The foreign national is called the beneficiary.

Passports

All international scholars/employees and family members planning to depart from the U.S. and return after a temporary absence must have a valid passport in order to exit the U.S. The passport must also be valid for a minimum of six months into the future at the time of re-entry to the U.S. Some countries have an agreement with the U.S.

Visas

Except for Canadian citizens, all international scholars/employees and family members will also need to have a valid H-1B/H-4 visa stamp in their passport issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Visa stamps cannot be obtained or renewed inside the U.S.

I-94 Record

H status holders are given a specific departure date on the I-94 and must depart the U.S. by this date. It is critical that you know and check this date upon every entry to the U.S. Check also an ink entry stamp with an annotation (the visa type and validity date) given in your passport upon entry.

Change to H-1B Status

Scholars/employees are advised to not travel outside the U.S. during a pending change of status H-1B petition (e.g., those who are changing from an F-1/J-1/Other to H-1B), as such an international travel will complicate your work authorization eligibility/immigration status.

Extension of H-1B Status

If you wish to travel outside the U.S. during the H-1B extension process, you should speak to your OISS adviser as soon as possible, before making your travel plans. Your travel plans may affect your H-1B extension processing timing and you are required to have well thought out coordination with your OISS Adviser.

Changing H-1B Employer to Yale

If you wish to travel outside the U.S. during the H-1B extension process, you should speak to your OISS adviser as soon as possible, before making travel plans. Your travel plans may affect your H-1B extension processing timing and you are required to have well thought out coordination with your OISS Adviser.

Passport Expiration

If you or your H-4 dependents are traveling with a passport that will expire before your H approval end date, you will be admitted to the U.S. only for the duration that your passport is valid. This means that your I-94 and legal stay in the U.S. will end earlier than your H-1B approval end date.

Which countries have visa free access?

As of January 2020, Indian citizens had visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 52 countries and territories. Nepal (Indian citizens may live and work freely in Nepal under the terms of the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship.) Read: 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Mauritius (90 days of visa free stay)

How long is a Bermuda visa valid?

Bermuda (90 days for holders of a multiple-entry visa issued by Canada, USA or the United Kingdom and valid for at least 45 days beyond the period of intended stay in Bermuda) Mexico (Visa not required for any valid USA visa holders to enter Mexico with tourist, transit & business purposes.

How long can an Indian travel to the US?

There are as many as 18 countries that would allow an Indian citizen to enter their borders with a valid US single or any multiple-entry visa (F1, H1, B1, etc.) for tourism purposes for up to 6 months. Are you happy? Let’s take a look.

Which countries require a visa for Guatemala?

Guatemala (Visa not required for holders of a valid visa issued by Canada, the USA or a Schengen Member State) Honduras (Visa free entry to holders of a valid visa issued by Canada, the USA or a Schengen Member State) Nicaragua (90 days (Fee USD20) applicable to holders of a valid visa issued by Canada, USA or a Schengen Member State)

Do you double check the immigration website before booking a flight?

Note: Always double check the destination country’s immigration website before booking any flights or trips. As many of you have rightly said, things can change and you don’t want to be caught off-guard.

What happens during a visa appointment?

During a visa appointment, you will be fingerprinted, photographed, and interviewed about your visa application and your prospective stay in the United States.

How much is the visa fee for each machine readable visa?

There will be a visa fee of at least $190 for each machine-readable visa issued. A reciprocity fee may also be required. You should confirm, with the U.S. Consulate, any specialized application procedures, processing time, and whether or not an appointment is required. Please note that U.S. Consulates, Embassies, and Ports of Entry may, in their discretion, choose to investigate any H visa application. It is therefore difficult to predict how long the wait will be for each visa issuance. You can check visa-waiting times here, and you can check consular procedures here.

How long does it take to get a visa stamp?

Typical administrative delays are 2-4 weeks, but some are much longer. The Department of State will not explain the reason for the delay, nor will they tell how long the delay will be.

How many days before I-797 approval date can I work?

You may enter the U.S. ten (10) days before the start date on your I-797 approval notice. At the port of entry, you may request that your I-94 card be issued with an additional ten (10) days beyond the expiration data of the I-797 approval notice. CBP officers at the port of entry are not required to grant these additional days, but you may still request them. If you receive additional days, you are not authorized to work beyond the expiration date of the I-797 approval notice.

What should an applicant be prepared to provide to the consular officer about the position?

Applicants should be prepared to provide a succinct “elevator pitch” explanation to the consular officer about the position. The applicant must clearly communicate what they do (or will be doing) and should be prepared to articulate the value that they bring to the U.S. employer.

Do you have to apply for a visa in advance?

The Department of State has stated that applicants are advised when they apply that there is no time period within which administrative processing must be completed. Individuals will have to weigh the risk before making travel plans in advance of receiving a visa. Please contact our office prior to making irrevocable travel arrangements to discuss your plans.

Can my spouse work without a separate authorization?

Your spouse and children may not accept employment in the U.S. without separate authorization since they are obtaining their H-4 status as the dependents of a temporary worker.

General Overview of Status and Visa Issues

The Visa Application Process

• As noted above, there are two ways for a foreign national to apply for an H-1B visa: (i) traveling to the foreign national’s country of citizenship and applying at a United States Consulate there; and (ii) traveling to Canada or Mexico and applying at a United States Consulate there. 1. Applying at a United States Consulate in Home Country – The ap...

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